Group 4 to face union onslaught

REPRESENTATIVES of workers from four continents were converging on the annual meeting of Group 4 Securicor in London today, pledging to raise a litany of grievances including accusations of union-busting.

Outlining plans to tell investors of alleged unfair practices, Bill Ragen of the huge US union SEIU said ahead of the meeting: 'This is an unprecedented coming-together of four unions representing Group 4 Securicor workers in the US, South Africa, Indonesia and UK.

'It is an important escalation of our campaign of unions standing shoulder-to-shoulder demanding that Group 4 Securicor companies treat their workers decently and that the company obeys the law.

'We are taking issue with the confrontational way the company is dealing with organised labour around the world.'

Grievances include US unit Wackenhut's refusal to recognise the SEIU, claims by South African union Satawu of loss of employee benefits; and claims by Indonesian trade union Aspek that it has been de-recognised.

A Group 4 Securicor spokesman said: 'They have their right to come along and make their points. We would say, however, that they should raise their issues with local management or with their unions locally.'